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1.
Phys Rev Lett ; 133(8): 081001, 2024 Aug 23.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39241728

RESUMEN

A consequence of QCD axion dark matter being born after inflation is the emergence of small-scale substructures known as miniclusters. Although miniclusters merge to form minihalos, this intrinsic granularity is expected to remain imprinted on small scales in our galaxy, leading to potentially damaging consequences for the campaign to detect axions directly on Earth. This picture, however, is modified when one takes into account the fact that encounters with stars will tidally strip mass from the miniclusters, creating pc-long tidal streams that act to refill the dark matter distribution. Here we ask whether or not this stripping rescues experimental prospects from the worst-case scenario in which the majority of axions remain bound up in unobservably small miniclusters. We find that the density sampled by terrestrial experiment on mpc scales will be, on average, around 70%-90% of the average local DM density, and at a typical point in the solar neighborhood, we expect most of the dark matter to be comprised of debris from O(10^{2}-10^{3}) overlapping streams. If haloscopes can measure the axion signal with high-enough frequency resolution, then these streams are revealed in the form of an intrinsically spiky line shape, in stark contrast with the standard assumption of a smooth, featureless Maxwellian distribution-a unique prediction that constitutes a way for experiments to distinguish between pre- and postinflationary axion cosmologies.

2.
Nutrients ; 16(15)2024 Jul 23.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39125261

RESUMEN

The Mediterranean diet, featuring sourdough bread, shows promise in managing metabolic syndrome. This study explored the effects of two sourdough breads, with differing fermentation times but similar nutritional profiles, on inflammation, satiety, and gut microbiota composition in adults with metabolic syndrome. In a double-blind clinical trial, participants were randomized to consume either Elias Boulanger® long-fermentation (48 h) sourdough bread (EBLong) or Elias Boulanger® short-fermentation (2 h) sourdough bread (EBShort) over a two-month period. We assessed clinical parameters, inflammatory biomarkers, satiety-related hormones, and the richness and abundance of gut microbiota at baseline and follow-up. The participants included 31 individuals (mean age, 67, 51.6% female). EBShort was associated with reduced levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), and all participants, regardless of the intervention, exhibited a decrease in sICAM and diastolic pressure from baseline (p < 0.017). At follow-up, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were lower in EBShort (-744 pg/mL; 95%CI: -282 to -1210 pg/mL) compared to EBLong. No differences in microbiota richness or abundance were observed. EBShort bread was effective in reducing some inflammation markers. The consumption of sourdough bread may offer potential benefits in reducing inflammation markers in individuals with metabolic syndrome; however, longer fermentation times did not show additional benefits.


Asunto(s)
Pan , Dieta Mediterránea , Fermentación , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Síndrome Metabólico , Humanos , Síndrome Metabólico/dietoterapia , Síndrome Metabólico/microbiología , Síndrome Metabólico/terapia , Femenino , Masculino , Método Doble Ciego , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Biomarcadores/sangre , Inhibidor 1 de Activador Plasminogénico/sangre , Factores de Tiempo , Molécula 1 de Adhesión Intercelular/sangre , Inflamación
3.
Reumatol. clín. (Barc.) ; 19(5): 260-265, May. 2023. tab, ilus
Artículo en Inglés | IBECS | ID: ibc-219779

RESUMEN

Background: Salivary gland ultrasound (SGU) provides information about structural gland abnormalities that can be graded and used for primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) diagnosis. Its potential role as a prognostic marker for detecting patients at high risk of lymphoma and extra-glandular manifestations is still under evaluation. We aim to assess the usefulness of SGU for SS diagnosis in routine clinical practice and its relationship with extra-glandular involvement and lymphoma risk in pSS patients. Methods: We designed a retrospective observational single-center study. Data was collected using the electronic health records of patients referred to an ultrasound outpatient clinic for evaluation over a 4-year period. Data extraction included demographics, comorbidities, clinical data, laboratory tests, SGU results, salivary gland (SG) biopsy, and scintigraphy results. Comparisons were made between patients with and without pathological SGU. The external criterion for comparison was the fulfillment of the 2016 ACR/EULAR pSS criteria. Results: A total of 179 SGU assessments were included from this 4-year period. Twenty-four cases (13.4%) were pathological. The most frequently diagnosed conditions prior to SGU-detected pathologies were pSS (9.7%), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (13.1%), and systemic lupus (4.6%). One hundred and two patients (57%) had no previous diagnosis (sicca syndrome work-up); of these, 47 patients (46.1%) were ANA positive and 25 (24.5%) anti-SSA positive. In this study, the sensitivity and specificity of SGU for SS diagnosis were 48% and 98% respectively, with a positive predictive value of 95%. There were statistically significant relationships between a pathological SGU and the presence of recurrent parotitis (p=.0083), positive anti-SSB antibodies (p=.0083), and a positive sialography (p=.0351)...(AU)


Antecedentes y objetivo: La ecografía de glándulas salivales (EGS) proporciona información acerca de las anomalías en la estructura glandular, y puede ser utilizado para el diagnóstico del síndrome de Sjögren (SS). Además, su potencial valor pronóstico para detectar pacientes con riesgo de manifestaciones extra-glandulares, así como el riesgo de linfoma se encuentra aún bajo estudio. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es evaluar la utilidad de la EGS para el diagnóstico del SS en la práctica clínica habitual, y su relación con la afectación extra-glandular, así como el riesgo de linfoma en pacientes con síndrome de Sjögren primario (pSS). Métodos: Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo y observacional en un único centro. La información fue recolectada de la historia clínica electrónica del paciente tras un seguimiento de 4 años. Esta información incluye variables demográficas, comorbilidades, datos clínicos, análisis de laboratorio, los resultados de la EGS, biopsia de glándulas salivales y gammagrafía. Se efectuaron comparaciones entre los pacientes que tenían una EGS patológica con aquellos que tenían un resultado normal. El criterio para establecer la comparación fue cumplir los criterios de ACR/ELUAR 2016 para el diagnóstico de pSS. Resultados: Se realizaron un total de 179 EGS durante el período de 4 años. De estas, 24 (13,4%) resultaron ser patológicas. Las enfermedades más frecuentemente identificadas tras realizar la EGS fueron pSS (9,7%), artritis reumatoide (AR) (4,6%) y lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) (4,6%). Ciento dos pacientes (57%) no tenían diagnóstico previo (estudio de síndrome seca); de estos, 47 (46,1%) tenían ANA positivo y 25 (24,5%) tenían anti-Ro positivo. La sensibilidad y la especificidad de la EGS para detectar el SS en nuestro estudio fueron del 48 y 98%, respectivamente; con un valor predictivo positivo del 95%...(AU)


Asunto(s)
Humanos , Glándulas Salivales/diagnóstico por imagen , Ultrasonografía , Síndrome de Sjögren , Estudios Retrospectivos
4.
Geriatrics (Basel) ; 8(3)2023 Apr 28.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37218828

RESUMEN

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of living in nursing homes on COVID-19-related mortality, and to calculate the real specific mortality rate caused by COVID-19 among people older than 20 years of age in the Balaguer Primary Care Centre Health Area during the first wave of the pandemic. We conducted an observational study based on a database generated between March and May 2020, analysing COVID-19-related mortality as a dependent variable, and including different independent variables, such as living in a nursing home or in the community (outside nursing homes), age, sex, symptoms, pre-existing conditions, and hospital admission. To evaluate the associations between the independent variables and mortality, we calculated the absolute and relative frequencies, and performed a chi-square test. To avoid the impact of the age variable on mortality and to assess the influence of the "living in a nursing home" variable, we established comparisons between infected population groups over 69 years of age (in nursing homes and outside nursing homes). Living in a nursing home was associated with a higher incidence of COVID-19 infection, but not with higher mortality in patients over 69 years of age (p = 0.614). The real specific mortality rate caused by COVID-19 was 2.270/00. In the study of the entire sample, all the comorbidities studied were associated with higher mortality; however, the comorbidities were not associated with higher mortality in the infected nursing home patients group, nor in the infected community patients over 69 years of age group (except for neoplasm history in this last group). Finally, hospital admission was not associated with lower mortality in nursing home patients, nor in community patients over 69 years of age.

5.
Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed) ; 19(5): 260-265, 2023 May.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37147062

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland ultrasound (SGU) provides information about structural gland abnormalities that can be graded and used for primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) diagnosis. Its potential role as a prognostic marker for detecting patients at high risk of lymphoma and extra-glandular manifestations is still under evaluation. We aim to assess the usefulness of SGU for SS diagnosis in routine clinical practice and its relationship with extra-glandular involvement and lymphoma risk in pSS patients. METHODS: We designed a retrospective observational single-center study. Data was collected using the electronic health records of patients referred to an ultrasound outpatient clinic for evaluation over a 4-year period. Data extraction included demographics, comorbidities, clinical data, laboratory tests, SGU results, salivary gland (SG) biopsy, and scintigraphy results. Comparisons were made between patients with and without pathological SGU. The external criterion for comparison was the fulfillment of the 2016 ACR/EULAR pSS criteria. RESULTS: A total of 179 SGU assessments were included from this 4-year period. Twenty-four cases (13.4%) were pathological. The most frequently diagnosed conditions prior to SGU-detected pathologies were pSS (9.7%), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (13.1%), and systemic lupus (4.6%). One hundred and two patients (57%) had no previous diagnosis (sicca syndrome work-up); of these, 47 patients (46.1%) were ANA positive and 25 (24.5%) anti-SSA positive. In this study, the sensitivity and specificity of SGU for SS diagnosis were 48% and 98% respectively, with a positive predictive value of 95%. There were statistically significant relationships between a pathological SGU and the presence of recurrent parotitis (p=.0083), positive anti-SSB antibodies (p=.0083), and a positive sialography (p=.0351). CONCLUSIONS: SGU shows high global specificity but low sensitivity for pSS diagnosis in routine care. Pathological SGU findings are associated with positive autoantibodies (ANA and anti-SSB) and recurrent parotitis.


Asunto(s)
Parotiditis , Síndrome de Sjögren , Humanos , Parotiditis/complicaciones , Estudios Retrospectivos , Glándulas Salivales/diagnóstico por imagen , Glándulas Salivales/patología , Autoanticuerpos , Síndrome de Sjögren/complicaciones
6.
Reumatol. clín. (Barc.) ; 18(5): 260-265, May 2022. tab
Artículo en Español | IBECS | ID: ibc-204821

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Evitar el deterioro de los pacientes con fibromialgia por actuaciones perjudiciales en la práctica clínica potencialmente evitables. Métodos: Un panel multidisciplinar de expertos identificó las áreas clave, analizó la evidencia científica y formuló las recomendaciones a partir de esta evidencia y de técnicas cualitativas de «evaluación formal» o «juicio razonado». Resultados: Se han elaborado 39 recomendaciones sobre diagnóstico, tratamientos no eficaces ni seguros, educación del paciente y formación del profesional. En esta parteII se reflejan las 12 recomendaciones, referidas a las dos últimas áreas. Conclusiones: Un buen conocimiento de la fibromialgia por el paciente mejora el afrontamiento y la aceptación de la enfermedad reduciendo la gravedad de algunas manifestaciones clínicas. Los profesionales sanitarios que tratan a los pacientes con fibromialgia deben tener una buena formación sobre esta enfermedad para mejorar los resultados del tratamiento y la relación con el paciente.(AU)


Objective: To prevent the deterioration of patients with fibromyalgia due to potentially avoidable harmful actions in clinical practice. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of experts identified key areas, analysed the scientific evidence and formulated recommendations based on this evidence and qualitative techniques of «formal assessment» or «reasoned judgement». Results: Thirty-nine recommendations were made on diagnosis, ineffective and unsafe treatments, patient education and practitioner training. This partII shows the 12 recommendations, referring to the latter two areas. Conclusions: Good knowledge of fibromyalgia on the part of patients improves their coping and acceptance of the disease and reduces the severity of some clinical manifestations. Healthcare professionals treating patients with fibromyalgia should be well trained in this disease to improve treatment outcomes and patient relationships.(AU)


Asunto(s)
Humanos , Fibromialgia , Capacitación Profesional , Educación del Paciente como Asunto , Diagnóstico , Terapéutica , Resultado del Tratamiento , Calidad de Vida , Estudios Multicéntricos como Asunto , España , Reumatología
7.
Reumatol. clín. (Barc.) ; 18(3): 131-140, Mar 2022. tab
Artículo en Español | IBECS | ID: ibc-204799

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Evitar el deterioro de los pacientes con fibromialgia por actuaciones perjudiciales en la práctica clínica potencialmente evitables. Métodos: Un panel multidisciplinar de expertos identificó las áreas claves, analizó la evidencia científica y formuló las recomendaciones a partir de esta evidencia y de técnicas cualitativas de «evaluación formal» o «juicio razonado». Resultados: Se han elaborado 39 recomendaciones sobre diagnóstico, tratamientos no eficaces ni seguros, educación del paciente y formación del profesional. En esta parte I se reflejan las 27 primeras, referidas a las 2 primeras áreas. Conclusiones: Establecer el diagnóstico mejora el afrontamiento del paciente y reduce los costes sanitarios. Se deben evitar AINE, opioides mayores y benzodiacepinas por los efectos adversos. No existe una evidencia sólida que justifique la asociación de fármacos. Tampoco existe una buena evidencia para recomendar ningún tipo de terapia complementaria. Las cirugías muestran más complicaciones y un grado de satisfacción menor por el paciente por lo que deben evitarse si la indicación no está claramente establecida.(AU)


Objective: To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable. Methods: A multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and “formal evaluation” or “reasoned judgment” qualitative analysis techniques. Results: A total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers’ education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas. Conclusions: Establishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.(AU)


Asunto(s)
Humanos , Fibromialgia/diagnóstico , Fibromialgia/tratamiento farmacológico , Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia , España , Reumatología
8.
Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed) ; 18(5): 260-265, 2022 May.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34538611

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the deterioration of patients with fibromyalgia due to potentially avoidable harmful actions in clinical practice. METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of experts identified key areas, analysed the scientific evidence and formulated recommendations based on this evidence and qualitative techniques of "formal assessment" or "reasoned judgement". RESULTS: Thirty-nine recommendations were made on diagnosis, ineffective and unsafe treatments, patient education and practitioner training. This part II shows the 12 recommendations, referring to the latter two areas. CONCLUSIONS: Good knowledge of fibromyalgia on the part of patients improves their coping and acceptance of the disease and reduces the severity of some clinical manifestations. Healthcare professionals treating patients with fibromyalgia should be well trained in this disease to improve treatment outcomes and patient relationships.


Asunto(s)
Fibromialgia , Reumatología , Fibromialgia/diagnóstico , Fibromialgia/terapia , Humanos , Resultado del Tratamiento
9.
Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed) ; 18(3): 131-140, 2022 Mar.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34649820

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and "formal evaluation" or "reasoned judgment" qualitative analysis techniques. RESULTS: A total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers' education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.


Asunto(s)
Fibromialgia , Reumatología , Fibromialgia/diagnóstico , Fibromialgia/terapia , Humanos
10.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34200028

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of Lung Ultrasound (LUS) for the diagnosis of interstitial syndrome caused by COVID-19 has been broadly described. The aim of this study was to evaluate if LUS may predict the complications (hospital admission) of COVID-19 pneumonia in primary care patients. METHODS: This observational study collects data from a cohort of 279 patients with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 pneumonia who attended the Balaguer Primary Health Care Area between 16 March 2020 and 30 September 2020. We collected the results of LUS scans reported by one general practitioner. We created a database and analysed the absolute and relative frequencies of LUS findings and their association with hospital admission. We found that different LUS patterns (diffuse, attenuated diffuse, and predominantly unilateral) were risk factors for hospital admission (p < 0.05). Additionally, an evolutionary pattern during the acute phase represented a risk factor (p = 0.0019). On the contrary, a normal ultrasound pattern was a protective factor (p = 0.0037). Finally, the presence of focal interstitial pattern was not associated with hospital admission (p = 0.4918). CONCLUSION: The lung ultrasound was useful to predict complications in COVID-19 pneumonia and to diagnose other lung diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism, chronic interstitial pneumopathy, pleuropericarditis, pneumonia or heart failure.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Hospitalización , Humanos , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Atención Primaria de Salud , SARS-CoV-2 , Ultrasonografía
11.
Artículo en Inglés, Español | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33933369

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the deterioration of patients with fibromyalgia due to potentially avoidable harmful actions in clinical practice. METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of experts identified key areas, analysed the scientific evidence and formulated recommendations based on this evidence and qualitative techniques of «formal assessment¼ or «reasoned judgement¼. RESULTS: Thirty-nine recommendations were made on diagnosis, ineffective and unsafe treatments, patient education and practitioner training. This partII shows the 12 recommendations, referring to the latter two areas. CONCLUSIONS: Good knowledge of fibromyalgia on the part of patients improves their coping and acceptance of the disease and reduces the severity of some clinical manifestations. Healthcare professionals treating patients with fibromyalgia should be well trained in this disease to improve treatment outcomes and patient relationships.

12.
Artículo en Inglés, Español | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33931332

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and "formal evaluation" or "reasoned judgment" qualitative analysis techniques. RESULTS: A total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers' education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.

13.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33801638

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly strained healthcare systems worldwide. The reference standard for diagnosis is a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, but results are not immediate and sensibility is variable. AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound compared to chest X-ray for COVID-19 pneumonia. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective analysis of symptomatic patients admitted into one primary care centre in Spain between March and September 2020. METHOD: Patients' chest X-rays and lung ultrasounds were categorized as normal or pathologic. RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection. Pathologic lung ultrasound images were further categorized as showing either local or diffuse interstitial disease. McNemar and Fisher tests were used to compare diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Most of the 212 patients presented fever at admission, either as a standalone symptom (37.74% of patients) or together with others (72.17% of patients). The positive predictive value of the lung ultrasound was 90% for the diffuse interstitial pattern and 46.92% for local pattern. The lung ultrasound had a significantly higher sensitivity (82.75%) (p < 0.001), but lower specificity (71%) than the chest X-ray (54.02% and 86%, respectively) (p = 0.008) for identifying interstitial lung disease. Moreover, sensitivity of the lung ultrasound for severe interstitial disease was 100%, and was significantly higher than the chest X-ray (58.33%) (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The lung ultrasound is more accurate than the chest X-ray for identifying patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and it is especially useful for those presenting diffuse interstitial disease.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemias , Diagnóstico Precoz , Humanos , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Estudios Retrospectivos , SARS-CoV-2 , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , España , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Rayos X
14.
Phys Rev Lett ; 125(4): 041301, 2020 Jul 24.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32794796

RESUMEN

We study the gravitational collapse of axion dark matter fluctuations in the postinflationary scenario, so-called axion miniclusters, with N-body simulations. Largely confirming theoretical expectations, overdensities begin to collapse in the radiation-dominated epoch and form an early distribution of miniclusters with masses up to 10^{-12} M_{⊙}. After matter-radiation equality, ongoing mergers give rise to a steep power-law distribution of minicluster halo masses. The density profiles of well-resolved halos are Navarro-Frenk-White-like to good approximation. The fraction of axion dark matter in these bound structures is ∼0.75 at redshift z=100.

15.
Clin Exp Rheumatol ; 38(4): 662-669, 2020.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31694752

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: To assess the plasma apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio and its potential association with cardiovascular events (CVE) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A baseline analysis was made of the CARdiovascular in rheuMAtology Project (CARMA), a 10-year prospective study evaluating the presence of at least one CVE in 775 Spanish patients with RA. Of them, 29 had already experienced CVE prior to the inclusion in the study. We assessed the association between the elevation of the apoB/apoA1 ratio with the presence of CVE according to a logistic regression model for possible confounding factors. We also analysed the main parameters of activity of RA and parameters related to lipid metabolism. RA patients were classified according to treatment: patients treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs without biologics and those undergoing biologic therapy (anti-TNF-α, anti-IL-6 receptor, and other biologic agents). RESULTS: The apoB/apoA1 ratio of patients who had experienced CVE was higher than that of patients without previous CVE (0.65 vs. 0.60). However, the difference between both subgroups did not reach statistical significance (p=0.197). It was also the case after the multivariate analysis [OR: 1.48 (95% CI: 0.15-14.4); p=0.735]. RA patients from the group with CVE were more commonly receiving lipid-lowering treatment with statins than those without CVE history (41.4% vs. 20%, p=0.005). High HAQ and high atherogenic index were significantly associated with the presence of CVE. There was no statistical association between the type of biologic therapy used in RA and the presence of CVE. CONCLUSIONS: No association between ApoB/apoA1 ratio and CVE was found at the baseline visit of patients with RA from the CARMA study.


Asunto(s)
Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares , Apolipoproteína A-I , Apolipoproteínas B , Humanos , Estudios Prospectivos , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/uso terapéutico
16.
Sensors (Basel) ; 19(22)2019 Nov 08.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31717425

RESUMEN

In this work, we present an integrated photogrammetric-acoustic technique that, together with the construction of a scaled wind tunnel, allows us to experimentally analyze the permeability behavior of a new type of acoustic screen based on a material called sonic crystal. Acoustic screens are devices used to reduce noise, mostly due to communication infrastructures, in its transmission phase from the source to the receiver. The main constructive difference between these new screens and the classic ones is that the first ones are formed by arrays of acoustic scatterers while the second ones are formed by continuous walls. This implies that, due to their geometry, screens based on sonic crystals are permeable to wind and water, unlike the classic ones. This fact may allow the use of these new screens in sandy soils, where sand would pass through the screen, avoiding the formation of sand dunes that are formed in classic screens and drastically reducing their acoustic performance. In this work, the movement of the sand and the resulting acoustic attenuation in these new screens are analyzed qualitatively, comparing the results with those obtained with the classic ones, and obtaining interesting results from the acoustic point of view.

17.
Polymers (Basel) ; 11(9)2019 Sep 19.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31546807

RESUMEN

The correction of transcranial focused ultrasound aberrations is a relevant topic for enhancing various non-invasive medical treatments. Presently, the most widely accepted method to improve focusing is the emission through multi-element phased arrays; however, a new disruptive technology, based on 3D printed holographic acoustic lenses, has recently been proposed, overcoming the spatial limitations of phased arrays due to the submillimetric precision of the latest generation of 3D printers. This work aims to optimize this recent solution. Particularly, the preferred acoustic properties of the polymers used for printing the lenses are systematically analyzed, paying special attention to the effect of p-wave speed and its relationship to the achievable voxel size of 3D printers. Results from simulations and experiments clearly show that, given a particular voxel size, there are optimal ranges for lens thickness and p-wave speed, fairly independent of the emitted frequency, the transducer aperture, or the transducer-target distance.

18.
Ultrasound Med Biol ; 45(3): 867-884, 2019 03.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30600128

RESUMEN

The correction of transcranial focused ultrasound aberrations is a relevant issue for enhancing various non-invasive medical treatments. The emission through multi-element phased arrays has been the most widely accepted method to improve focusing in recent years; however, the number and size of transducers represent a bottleneck that limits the focusing accuracy of the technique. To overcome this limitation, a new disruptive technology, based on 3-D-printed acoustic lenses, has recently been proposed. As the submillimeter precision of the latest generation of 3-D printers has been proven to overcome the spatial limitations of phased arrays, a new challenge is to improve the accuracy of the numerical simulations required to design this type of ultrasound lens. In the study described here, we evaluated two improvements in the numerical model applied in previous works for the design of 3-D-printed lenses: (i) allowing the propagation of shear waves in the skull by means of its simulation as an isotropic solid and (ii) introduction of absorption into the set of equations that describes the dynamics of the wave in both fluid and solid media. The results obtained in the numerical simulations are evidence that the inclusion of both s-waves and absorption significantly improves focusing.


Asunto(s)
Ultrasonido Enfocado de Alta Intensidad de Ablación/instrumentación , Lentes , Impresión Tridimensional , Acústica , Simulación por Computador , Humanos , Cráneo/diagnóstico por imagen
19.
Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis ; 90(1): 1-6, 2018 Jan.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29111147

RESUMEN

In this study we evaluated the commercially available LightMix® RT-PCR assay for Helicobacter pylori detection and identification of clarithromycin (CLR) resistance in culture and clinical specimens (gastric biopsies and stool). The H. pylori LightMix® RT-PCR detects a 97bp long fragment of the 23S rRNA gene and allows the identification of 3 distinct point mutations conferring CLR resistance via melting curve analysis. The performance of the H. pylori LightMix® RT-PCR was evaluated using a set of 60 H. pylori strains showing phenotypical CLR susceptibility or CLR resistance (Minimum inhibitory concentrations from 0.016 to 256mg/L). We found high concordance (95%) between phenotypical CLR resistance screening by E-Test® and the Lightmix® RT-PCR. Discrepant results were verified by sequencing of the 23S rRNA gene that always confirmed the results obtained by Lightmix® RT-PCR. Furthermore, H. pylori was detected in clinical biopsy and stool specimens by Lightmix® RT-PCR that identified the correct H. pylori genotype. The LightMix® RT-PCR is an accurate, sensitive and easy to use test for H. pylori and CLR resistance detection and can therefore be readily implemented in any diagnostic laboratory.


Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos/farmacología , Claritromicina/farmacología , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana/genética , Helicobacter pylori/efectos de los fármacos , Helicobacter pylori/genética , ARN Ribosómico 23S/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa/métodos , Adenocarcinoma/prevención & control , Heces/microbiología , Infecciones por Helicobacter/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Helicobacter/microbiología , Helicobacter pylori/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Mutación Puntual/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/prevención & control
20.
Phys Rev Lett ; 118(9): 091801, 2017 Mar 03.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28306304

RESUMEN

We propose a new strategy to search for dark matter axions in the mass range of 40-400 µeV by introducing dielectric haloscopes, which consist of dielectric disks placed in a magnetic field. The changing dielectric media cause discontinuities in the axion-induced electric field, leading to the generation of propagating electromagnetic waves to satisfy the continuity requirements at the interfaces. Large-area disks with adjustable distances boost the microwave signal (10-100 GHz) to an observable level and allow one to scan over a broad axion mass range. A sensitivity to QCD axion models is conceivable with 80 disks of 1 m^{2} area contained in a 10 T field.

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